On Friday the White House released the findings of a comprehensive 90-day review of big data that makes recommendations on how the government and the private sector can balance privacy concerns with the need to spur innovation and maximize the opportunities of big data. Microsoft provided input to the study and supports the recommendations in included this report. Big data holds tremendous promise for society and it’s important that government policy promotes its effective use.

We will continue working with lawmakers to make tougher privacy protections a reality because we believe the promise of big data will not be reached unless approaches are established to address privacy and civil liberties concerns.